3. To what specific course(s) does your topic relate? Explain.
4. Determine whether the primary focus of the issue is cultural, resource, economic, environmental or political. Explain your decision.
5. Recreatethe following chart on a separate piece of paper. Using the following “K-W-L Organizer”, recall what you already know about your topic, organize any new ideas, ask questions and record your learning.
K: What I Know about the Topic
W: What I want to Know about the Topic
L: What I have Learned about the Topic from Preliminary Reading / Courses Studied
6. Based on your prior knowledge and studies, what are three important themes or issues pertinent to this topic? Outline and explain.
7. Create TWO controversial questions about the topic that your thesis paper may answer.
8. Using the “Evaluating Internet Resources Criteria” found at the following website: http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/evaluating/Easyprint.html find 3 resources on your topic on the web that fit the criteria of a valid Internet resource.
We have already looked at evaluating sources. But if you are uncertain about a source that you find, click on the link above. There are excellent questions to ask yourself about the source that may clarify it for you.
Developing a Hypothesis What is a hypothesis? What is a hypothesis? A hypothesis is defined as, “a proposition or principle put forth or stated merely as a basis for reasonable argument, or as a premise from which to draw a conclusion.” This means that you do not have to be certain that your hypothesis is correct. It is a statement that you hope to prove true. Once you complete your research and you know more about your subject you might have to modify your hypothesis.
Does your hypothesis have to be true? You don’t have to be certain that your hypothesis is correct. It is a starting point, a statement that you hope to prove true after more research and investigation. That said, after more research you might find you have to modify your hypothesis. Why do you need a hypothesis? A good hypothesis will help you to focus your investigation. It will keep you from “losing the forest for the trees”. As you progress through your investigation you might notice that more and more information comes out. Your hypothesis will ensure that you stay on course in your investigation. Steps in Writing an Effective Hypothesis
STEP 1: Preliminary Research You must review your information so far and decide what information is important and how it will help you develop your hypothesis. STEP 2: Write Your Hypothesis Your hypothesis is a statement that you intend to prove through your research. It should state your focus. When you have finished with your hypothesis, check it to be sure it has the following criteria:
It is written in the form of a concise statement.
It reflects a position being taken by the writer.
It is arguable, and a contrary position can be taken.
It requires research to determine whether or not it is true.
It is a significant matter to social scientists.
It is a complex notion, dealing with a number of variables.
It is not written in the first person.
It can be tested.
STEP 3: Test it against the Criteria Take your hypothesis and check to see if it has the criteria listed in Step Two. If it doesn’t you need to take another look at your hypothesis. You should rework it so it fits but be sure not to lose your focus.
Honours Thesis Course IDP 4U1
Developing Research Questions In order to be effective in your research you need to have an effective set of research questions to guide you in your studies. These questions must be informed. They should be based on your research so far along with your hypothesis. STEP 1: Look over your material Before you can begin creating research questions you should look over your research so far to see where you are going. STEP 2: Creating your questions Your questions are very important to your research because they are your guide to getting the answers you need. They must be focused and insightful. The following are four major types of questions you can ask in your research:
Ø Factual Questions These questions have right and wrong answers that tend to be accepted by most people in the field. These questions usually begin with, “who,” “what,” “where,” or “when.” They provide a good base for information on the subject you are pursuing. These questions are quite effective for background information. Ø Clarification Questions These questions attempt to narrow the focus of the research and eliminate misunderstandings about the meaning of terms being used. Ø Interpretive Questions Researchers use these questions to focus on the meaning of their research. Quite often these questions allow the researcher to take a side on the issue. It is important to note that the same question could be answered quite differently by two different researchers depending on their hypothesis and their research so far. The important part however, is ensuring that the researcher backs their answer up with information from their research. Ø Inquiry Questions Researchers often develop these questions to look for related factors within their research. These questions often have more than one correct answer, and normally require considerable research to answer properly. Eg. What are some of the major factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency in society?
STEP 3: Have your questions checked by a partner In this step you will have a partner check your questions for you to ensure they are focused and appropriate to your topic. They will look to see if you have the appropriate types of questions and if they are concise with a clear direction. Honours Thesis Course IDP 4U1 NAME:
Developing a Hypothesis & Research Questions
TOPIC:
OVERVIEW OF TOPIC:
CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION(S) REGARDING TOPIC:
HYPOTHESIS:
RESEARCH QUESTIONS: You should have a minimum of TWO (2) questions of each type for your research. These questions should be clear and relate to your hypothesis. Remember, they should guide you in your research not confuse you.
Major Assignment
Your major assignment will be a research paper.
We will do it in stages. All the stages will be posted on the home page under a specific date.
It is very important to know how to write an essay. Understanding how to organize and convey your message through writing is essential for success.
YOU WILL:
1. Follow the instructions on the home page.
2. Meet the deadlines posted on the home page
3. Post your work under your name in this wiki for peer to peer sharing.
REMEMBER: THE WORLD WILL BE LOOKING AT IT! DO YOUR BEST QUALITY PROFESSIONAL WORK ONLINE SO YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 21ST CENTURY OPPORTUNITIES.
FIND GREAT SOURCES AND ORGANIZE IT COHERENTLY!
STEP 1
Due: Wed, April 27
http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/history/honours/topicselection.html
STEP 1: TOPIC SELECTION
1. What is your topic? Give a brief overview.
2. Give two reasons why you selected this topic.
3. To what specific course(s) does your topic relate? Explain.
4. Determine whether the primary focus of the issue is cultural, resource, economic, environmental or political. Explain your decision.
5. Recreate the following chart on a separate piece of paper. Using the following “K-W-L Organizer”, recall what you already know about your topic, organize any new ideas, ask questions and record your learning.
K: What I Know about the Topic
W: What I want to Know about the Topic
L: What I have Learned about the Topic from Preliminary Reading / Courses Studied
6. Based on your prior knowledge and studies, what are three important themes or issues pertinent to this topic? Outline and explain.
7. Create TWO controversial questions about the topic that your thesis paper may answer.
8. Using the “Evaluating Internet Resources Criteria” found at the following website: http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/evaluating/Easyprint.html find 3 resources on your topic on the web that fit the criteria of a valid Internet resource.
STEP 2
Evaluating Sources
http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/history/honours/Evaluating%20Sources%20Assignment.htm
We have already looked at evaluating sources. But if you are uncertain about a source that you find, click on the link above. There are excellent questions to ask yourself about the source that may clarify it for you.
STEP 3
http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/history/honours/hypothesisresearchquestions.html
Developing a Hypothesis
What is a hypothesis?
What is a hypothesis? A hypothesis is defined as, “a proposition or principle put forth or stated merely as a basis for reasonable argument, or as a premise from which to draw a conclusion.” This means that you do not have to be certain that your hypothesis is correct. It is a statement that you hope to prove true. Once you complete your research and you know more about your subject you might have to modify your hypothesis.
Does your hypothesis have to be true?
You don’t have to be certain that your hypothesis is correct. It is a starting point, a statement that you hope to prove true after more research and investigation. That said, after more research you might find you have to modify your hypothesis.
Why do you need a hypothesis?
A good hypothesis will help you to focus your investigation. It will keep you from “losing the forest for the trees”. As you progress through your investigation you might notice that more and more information comes out. Your hypothesis will ensure that you stay on course in your investigation.
Steps in Writing an Effective Hypothesis
STEP 1: Preliminary Research
You must review your information so far and decide what information is important and how it will help you develop your hypothesis.
STEP 2: Write Your Hypothesis
Your hypothesis is a statement that you intend to prove through your research. It should state your focus. When you have finished with your hypothesis, check it to be sure it has the following criteria:
STEP 3: Test it against the Criteria
Take your hypothesis and check to see if it has the criteria listed in Step Two. If it doesn’t you need to take another look at your hypothesis. You should rework it so it fits but be sure not to lose your focus.
Honours Thesis Course IDP 4U1
Developing Research Questions
In order to be effective in your research you need to have an effective set of research questions to guide you in your studies. These questions must be informed. They should be based on your research so far along with your hypothesis.
STEP 1: Look over your material
Before you can begin creating research questions you should look over your research so far to see where you are going.
STEP 2: Creating your questions
Your questions are very important to your research because they are your guide to getting the answers you need. They must be focused and insightful. The following are four major types of questions you can ask in your research:
Ø Factual Questions
These questions have right and wrong answers that tend to be accepted by most people in the field. These questions usually begin with, “who,” “what,” “where,” or “when.” They provide a good base for information on the subject you are pursuing. These questions are quite effective for background information.
Ø Clarification Questions
These questions attempt to narrow the focus of the research and eliminate misunderstandings about the meaning of terms being used.
Ø Interpretive Questions
Researchers use these questions to focus on the meaning of their research. Quite often these questions allow the researcher to take a side on the issue. It is important to note that the same question could be answered quite differently by two different researchers depending on their hypothesis and their research so far. The important part however, is ensuring that the researcher backs their answer up with information from their research.
Ø Inquiry Questions
Researchers often develop these questions to look for related factors within their research. These questions often have more than one correct answer, and normally require considerable research to answer properly. Eg. What are some of the major factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency in society?
STEP 3: Have your questions checked by a partner
In this step you will have a partner check your questions for you to ensure they are focused and appropriate to your topic. They will look to see if you have the appropriate types of questions and if they are concise with a clear direction.
Honours Thesis Course IDP 4U1 NAME:
Developing a Hypothesis & Research Questions
TOPIC:
OVERVIEW OF TOPIC:
CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION(S) REGARDING TOPIC:
HYPOTHESIS:
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
You should have a minimum of TWO (2) questions of each type for your research. These questions should be clear and relate to your hypothesis. Remember, they should guide you in your research not confuse you.
Ø Factual Questions
Ø Clarification Questions
Ø Interpretive Questions
Ø Inquiry Questions
Step 4
FOLLOW THIS OUTLINE:
Here is an excellent example:
http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/history/honours/thesis/leslieoutline.htmlESSAY OUTLINE
Section 1 (Introductory Paragraph)
A. Background Information
B. Controversial Question(s)
C. Thesis Statement
D. 3 Sub-Topics / Arguments
Section 2 (Historiography)
A. Introductory Sentence / Major Idea
B. Overview of different streams of thought
C. Analysis of Evidence & Relation to thesis
D. Concluding Sentence
Section 3 (Sub-Topic 1)
A. Introductory Sentence / Major Idea
B. Evidence (with footnotes)
C. Analysis of Evidence & Relation to thesis
D. Evaluation of Counter-arguments in relation to your present argument
E. Concluding Sentence
Section 4 (Sub-Topic 2 Counter Argument)
A. Introductory Sentence / Major Idea
B. Evidence (with footnotes)
C. Analysis of Evidence & Relation to thesis
D. Evaluation of Counter-arguments in relation to your present argument
E. Concluding Sentence
Section 5 (Sub-Topic 2)
A. Introductory Sentence / Major Idea
B. Evidence (with footnotes)
C. Analysis of Evidence & Relation to thesis
D. Evaluation of Counter-arguments in relation to your present argument
E. Concluding Sentence
Supplementary:
NOTE: Any extra topics or arguments that you feel need to be added can be added in the same format as above.Section 6 (Conclusion)
A. Summary of Sub-Topics
B. Restate the Thesis
C. Positive, moral, lesson learned sentence
Section 7 (Bibliography)
Citation site: http://citationmachine.net/index2.php